Final Fantasy 14 has once again stopped its policy of automatic housing demolition. The policy resumed in January with the release of update 6.3, however, it has been paused in the wake of the Turkey-Syria earthquake.
"From all of us on the FFXIV development and management team, our hearts go out to those who were affected by the massive earthquake that occurred in southeastern Turkey on Monday, February 6," wrote Square Enix. "Due to the damages and other factors, we have decided to temporarily suspend the automatic demolition of estates. The timer has been stopped again after a short period in light of the damage and circumstances of the people affected by the disaster. We ask for your consideration and understanding."
The earthquake that struck on Monday was measured at 7.8 on the Richter scale, making it extremely powerful. It was followed by another 7.5 magnitude earthquake just nine hours later, with hundreds of aftershocks in the days since then. Thus far, the death toll has risen to over 20,000 people.
Housing demolitions are one of the tools Square Enix uses to cool Final Fantasy 14's white-hot housing market. If a player doesn't visit their home once in a 45-day period, then it's automatically demolished and the land resold. Square Enix also periodically adds new housing plots where it sells them on a lottery system, but the demolished houses often generate bidding wars between hundreds or even thousands of players. Square Enix first paused housing demolitions during the pandemic, then again after the onset of war in Ukraine. Housing demolitions were once again suspended yesterday and it is currently unkown when they'll resume.
"We will monitor the situation in the coming days, and inform you all when we have come to a decision that auto-demolition can commence again," Square Enix added. "It is our sincere hope that recovery is swift, and those of you who were affected will be able to rejoin us in Eorzea soon."